How Much Is Va Disability For Hearing Loss

What Percent Of Hearing Loss Qualifies For Disability

The big question here is not if hearing loss qualifies as a disability, but when . Most hearing loss is degenerative . So at what point does it become a disability? Unfortunately, it depends on who you ask and why.

Take social security, for example. In order to qualify for social security benefits your hearing loss must reach one of the following thresholds:

• Average hearing threshold must be below 90 dB when measured by air conduction.
• Average hearing threshold must be below 60 dB when measured by bone conduction.
• Failure to repeat at least 40% of words in a word recognition test.

Once youve reached any of those three thresholds, you may qualify for social security disability benefits because of your hearing loss .

What Is The Typical Va Compensation For Hearing Loss Or Other Ear Conditions

Tinnitus VA Rating

Tinnitus is either rated at 10 percent ornothing. There is no unilateral or bilateral factor for your Tinnitus VArating.

Menieres Disease VA Rating

Veterans will receive a 100 percent rating ifyour Menieres disease includes vertigo and cerebellar gait more than once aweek.

Veterans will receive a 60 percent rating ifyour Menieres disease includes vertigo and cerebellar gait one to four timesper month and a 30 percent rating for less severe symptoms, which occur lessthan one time per month.

Inner Ear Disorders VA Rating

Inner ear disorders are very common inveterans, and these disorders can lead to nausea, dizziness, balance issues,vertigo, cerebellar gait, and even vomiting in severe cases.

Depending on the severity of your symptoms, theVA rates inner ear disorders at either 10 percent or 30 percent.

Loss of Ears VA Rating

Veterans will receive a 30 percent VA ratingfor the loss of one ear.

Veterans will receive a bilateral factor and aVA rating of 50 percent for the loss of both ears.

Eardrum VA Rating

Veterans will receive a 0 percent VA rating forperforated eardrum.

Total Hearing Loss VA Rating

Veterans with total hearing loss in both ears are eligible for Special Monthly Compensation.

Completing The Disability Claim

Step 5: Submit a personal statement along with the disability claim. The personal statement outlines when you believe the condition started and how your time in the military made sleep apnea worse. Include as many medical records and evidence as possible.

Step 6: Patients that need a CPAP or another type of breathing device while sleeping should get written acknowledgment from a doctor that the machine is necessary because of sleep apnea. This simple step should guarantee a 50% rating or higher.

Step 7: Some patients opt to include buddy letters from family, friends, and military associates that are familiar with the condition and how it has negatively affected your life.

Step 8: Review the disability claim for errors and submit. Patience is necessary with VA disability claims, particularly those associated with sleep apnea since the government does not have a stellar track record of approving these types of claims.

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Evidence Of An Event Or Injury Which Caused The Condition

Make sure you have the evidence of what initiated the hearing loss. This could be exposure to artillery fire, bombs, flight lines, combat service, or even occupational specialties such as mechanical work where there are regularly loud noises putting a strain on your ears. You can obtain this evidence through medical records, your service records, or buddy letters. Buddy letters from a battle buddy can make the connection for the VA of where you were and what happened. To see an example and learn how to write a GOOD buddy letter, check it out here!

How Does The Va Qualify Eligibility For Hearing Loss

Hearing issues are very common in the United States, especially among older adults.

Tragically, retirees and veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces traditionally start dealing with hearing loss at a far younger age compared to civilians.

In fact, the VA recently described hearing problems like tinnitus as the most prevalent service-connected disability among American Veterans.

The goal of any VA disability claim is to link the medical condition with a service connection.

In other words, the patient struggling with hearing loss must prove to the VA that the medical condition started or worsen during their time in service in order to receive disability benefits.

Otherwise, the military is not considered at fault for your injuries and therefore you may not receive any form of VA disability.

While VA rating percentages are subject to change, here are some current examples of how you may qualify for VA disability coverage:

• Otosclerosis
• Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media
• Chronic Otitis Externa
• Peripheral Vestibular Disorders
• Loss of Ear
• Menieres Syndrome
• Malignant Neoplasm

Sadly, the U.S. Armed Forces currently do not currently observe Tympanic Membrane Perforation, or a perforated ear, as a hearing impairment.

As a result, patients receive a 0% rating for this medical condition.

Related ArticleDoes Sleep Apnea Qualify As A VA Disability?

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Tdiu For Hearing Loss

If your service-connected conditions prevent you from working, you may be entitled to total disability based on individual unemployability . For example, if you need full range of hearing for your job , and your hearing loss impacts your ability to work, you can explain that issue to VA. It is important to note that you can also have multiple service-connected conditions where hearing loss is only one of them, but the effects of hearing loss can be positive evidence in favor of entitlement to TDIU.

Things To Prove In A Va Disability For Hearing Loss Claim Or Appeal

There are 3 things you must prove to establish service connection in any VA disability claim, but as you will see, the VA makes it particularly hard to prove a hearing loss disability is related to military service.

The first hurdle you have to cross is proving that your hearing loss is a disability.

The second hurdle you have to clear is demonstrating that it your hearing loss is related to your military service.

And the third hurdle you have to cross is establishing a VA hearing loss rating. That is, you have to show that your hearing loss is substantial enough to warrant an impairment rating. A lot can be said about the way the VA rates hearing loss, but that is not what this post is about.

This post is about the first hurdle proving that your hearing loss is a VA disability.

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How To Determine Your Monthly Va Disability Payment

To determine your monthly disability payment, navigate to the table below that fits your disability rating, marital and dependent status. Once you’re on the correct table, follow your rating across to your specific marital and dependent status.

If you have additional children or a spouse receiving Aid and Attendance benefits, you should include these figures from the added amounts table.

Jump directly to the tables here:

You may qualify for more depending on if your spouse receives Aid and Attendance benefits and the number of children you have. View the added amounts table here and how to calculate.

Get An Official Diagnosis

Your first step to getting the VA disability benefits you deserve will be to get an official diagnosis of hearing loss.

We recommend you schedule an appointment with an audiologist as soon as possible. That way, youll be able to start building your case for service-connected hearing loss.

The audiologist will be able to diagnose and determine the extent of your hearing loss. All of this medical documentation will be beneficial for proving your claim to the VA.

Our VA disability attorneys can also help you schedule an Independent Medical Examination . An IME doctor has no connection to you or the VA, which makes their medical option more valid in the eyes of the VA.

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Va Hearing Loss Claim Rating

According to the Department of Veterans Affairs official site, hearing loss and/or hearing damage affects nearly 30 million people in America alone. Hearing problems such as tinnitus are described by the VA as among the most prevalent service-connected disability among American Veterans. More than half of people over 75 will experience some form of hearing loss or hearing-connected issues.

What is the maximum VA rating for hearing loss? This question and others related to it are very important for veterans filing VA medical claims for service-connected hearing damage. And, as the above suggests, since hearing loss or damage is one of the most common VA medical claims, it is a very good idea to understand how the VA approaches such claims.

Getting The Benefits For Moderate Hearing Loss You Deserve

If youve experienced even moderate hearing loss, you deserve to get the benefits designated for you. By filing a claim now and getting a VA disability rating, it will also be easier to obtain future benefits if your hearing loss worsens.

When youre ready to file or re-file any type of VA Disability Claim, sign up now through this link! Youll hear from one of our coaches within the week!

Deserve a HIGHER VA Rating?

Learn more about how VA Claims Insider can help you get the rating you DESERVE!Speak with a VA Disability expert and start for FREE!

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What Should You Expect At A Disability Hearing

What to Expect at Your Disability Benefits Hearing Getting Your Hearing Started Right. Inside the Hearing Room Hearings are typically held in relatively small rooms, which look more like conference rooms than courtrooms. Testimony, Questions, and Answers. After The Hearing. See What a SSDI Hearing Is Like

Follow These 6 Steps To Work To Get A Higher Va Disability Rate For Hearing Loss Using The Extra

DRO conferencecopy of your C-filecopy of the Hearing Examiners credentials and reporthow to get a copy of your VA C-File and how to USE it in your VA Claim or AppealC-File is loaded with lay evidence4 Pillars Video Training Course5 Star Evidence Field Manualget to the DRO Conferenceextra-schedular rating under 38 CFR 3.321appeal this denial to the Board of Veterans Appeals BVA judgeDoucettecontacting an attorney that has experience with appeals to the Veterans Court

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Disabilityratings For Hearing Impairment

To receive disabilitycompensation for hearing loss, you must first prove that you are eligible for benefits. The VA requires that you:

• Served on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training, and
• Have a disability rating for your service-connected condition

The VA calculates your disability rating, a percentage based on the severity of yourdisability, by looking at your medical history, including any test results ordoctor reports, as well as information from other sources, like federalagencies or a VA claim exam if youve undergone one.

The VA Schedule of Ratings Disabilities shows that mild or moderate hearing loss can range from 0% to 10%, while severe hearing loss may range from 30% to 50%.

The rating for tinnitus is 10%, which is assigned regardless of whether it affects one or both ears. However, you can receive individual ratings for hearing loss and tinnitus.

Who Is Eligible For Hearing Aids From The Va

Many veterans suffer some type of hearing loss, however unless that hearing loss is service-connected, the VA will not usually provide them hearing aids.

VA provides hearing aids to the following veterans:

• Those with any service-connected disability
• Former Prisoners of War
• Purple Heart recipients
• Those rated permanently housebound or in need of regular aid and attendance.
• Those with hearing impairment resulting from diseases or a medical condition for which they are getting VA care or disability
• Those who have hearing impairment severe enough that it interferes with their ability to participate actively in their own medical treatment or daily living.

If you have a hearing loss and are in the group of eligible veterans, you should contact your local VA medical center to see if you qualify for hearing aids. The VA will give you a hearing test and issue you top of the line hearing aids. VA will also provide you any necessary maintenance of those hearing aids such as replacement batteries, cleaning and adjustments.

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Get Help With Your Application

The staff at any VAC office, CAF Transition Centre or Service Canada office can assist you or call us at 1-866-522-2122. Service Officers with The Royal Canadian Legion or The War Amps of Canada can also assist you with your application, including helping you get all of the information you need to support your application. Their assistance is free of charge.

Causesof Hearing Loss Or Tinnitus In Veterans

With veterans, hearing loss and tinnitus can be caused by noise exposure to gunfire, tanks, bombs or aircraft noise.

Hearing problems can also occur due to age, or a combination of both noise exposure and age. Veterans are 30 percent more likely than nonveterans to have severe hearing impairment as well.

Even though hearing protection is mandatory and standard issue for all active-duty service members, hearing loss can still occur.

The good news is, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs can help. Nearly 3 million veterans receive compensation for tinnitus or hearing loss.

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Va Disability Claim For Hearing Loss Or Tinnitus

Tinnitus is one of the most claimed disabilities when it comes to applying for disability compensation. Hearing loss comes in at a close second. This statistic comes from the 2015 Annual Benefits Report. The report shows that 9.6 percent of veterans claimed tinnitus and about 5.2 percent of veterans claimed hearing loss. Yet, these two disabilities will be denied time and time again to former service members and their family members.

The bottom line is that it is very important to have the three components mentioned earlier to establish service connection for hearing loss and/or tinnitus: a current diagnosis, evidence of an event that caused the condition, and a medical opinion linking the current hearing condition to the event in service or nexus. Any veteran struggling with tinnitus is hard of hearing, and/or is experiencing hearing loss, should not give up or become discouraged if they are denied the first time or even the second time around. This is a real issue for many veterans and can require real solutions such as Cochlear implants , sign language classes, or even inner ear/middle ear surgery. Hopefully, this information will help in the initial process when trying to establish a service connection for tinnitus and/or hearing loss.

Was Your Hearing Damaged Or Lost In The Military

One of the inherent risks of military service is to a soldiers hearing. Whether from the deafening sounds of frontline combat, the noise of engines and other loud machinery, or accidents like misfires and explosions, there are constant threats to a soldiers ability to hear while he or she is serving on active duty. Even with consistent use of ear protection, many soldiers retire from the military sustaining permanent hearing loss. Some former members of the military even require hearing aids, and others may have gone deaf completely.

Whether you are partially deaf, have damaged hearing, or have lost the ability to hear completely, you may be able to qualify for significant disability compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs for your condition.

In order to receive disability benefits for hearing loss from the VA, you simply need to prove that an injury or experience caused your hearing loss during your time in the military. Otherwise, you will not be able to receive benefits. Without a service connection often called a nexus in VA language the VA cannot approve a Veteran to receive disability compensation.

If you can establish that your hearing loss is service-related, the VA will rate your disability based on the severity of your hearing damage. Your disability rating can also be influenced by the impact that your hearing loss has on your ability to work, maintain relationships with friends and family, and function in everyday life.

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What Is The Difference Between Hearing Loss And Deafness

Hearing loss refers to ones reduced ability tohear and discern sounds and noises in the same manner as other people.

Deafness, on the other hand, takes place whenone cannot understand speech even when the sound is augmented.

There are 3 main types of hearing loss thatconsist of:

1. Conductive Hearing Loss

Conductive hearing loss occurs when vibrationsare not transmitted from the outer ear to the inner ear.

Conductive hearing loss is very common, and itoccurs as a result of:

• Ear infections that lead toinflammation
• Problems with the ossicles
• Accumulated ear wax

2. Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Sensorineural hearing loss is caused byproblems occurring in the inner ear or as a result of brain damage.

Sensorineural hearing loss typically occursover time as veterans get older.

Another common cause of Sensorineural hearingloss is exposure to intensive noises, principally the high-frequency ones, overa long period of time.

Once Sensorineural hearing loss occurs, itcannot be repaired.

3. Mixed Hearing Loss

When veterans suffer from mixed hearing loss,it means that they have a combination of Sensorineural hearing loss and Conductivehearing loss.

When one has mixed hearing loss, he or she canundergo surgery to restore normal hearing, although this outcome is not alwaysassured.

The military, in general, is a high noise setting.

But just because you are suffering from hearingloss does not mean that you will receive compensation by VA standards.

Disability Ratings And Va Benefits

The VA provides disability compensation for hearing loss and tinnitus.

The first thing a veteran needs to do is to establish that their hearing loss or tinnitus is connected to their service. Visit the VAs eligibility for benefits webpage to read more about how to start a claim.

For hearing loss and tinnitus, a veteran will need to know the basics of their condition:

The VA requires both a pure-tone and a Maryland CNC test for hearing loss. Depending on the results, the VA will assign a disability rating from 0 to 10 percent. You can read more about disability ratings from the VAs ratings guide.

For tinnitus, the disability rating is 10 percent. Veterans with hearing loss and tinnitus can get separate ratings for each disability.

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